One of the quiet disappointments of the NFL combine came from Bruce Taylor, who couldn't even crack five seconds in the 40-yard dash. Of course, 40 times aren't everything—Brandon Spikes ran it in 5.05 seconds.

Taylor did improve on it with a 4.93-second run at Virginia Tech's pro day.

Mending the Family

At first blush, it might seem like Bruce Taylor's father was his namesake who played for the San Francisco 49ers. That could not be further from the truth.

The big linebacker did not have his father around growing up. The elder Taylor was arrested and incarcerated on robbery charges while his wife was pregnant with their son.

By the time he was released, his wife had moved on and Bruce Jr. was getting ready to get into high school. But he persevered.

Taylor Sr. cleaned up his life while in jail, and he has been able to celebrate his son's success with his ex-wife (via Kyle Tucker of the Virginia Pilot).

On fine fall afternoons in Blacksburg, when sunlight and cheers for Little Bruce wash over them, old wounds feel more than healed. For a few hours, it's like they never even happened.

Bruce Taylor Jr.'s parents sit together and smile at what they made.

"It's what's been pulling everybody back together," Bruce Sr. said. "I look at him and hear the people yelling for him, and it overwhelms me. I look at her and I know that she struggled for a real long time.

"I'm just so happy that it turned out right for them, and I'm lucky I get to see it."